Musician Jay-Z has denied a rape allegation by labeling it as an extortion attempt.
The accusation emerged when a woman, who previously filed a lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs, amended her claims to include Jay-Z.
The woman asserts that she experienced sexual assault at an after-party following an awards show in 2000. At that time, she was 13 years old. According to her, Jay-Z was among those involved.
In a statement through his company, Roc Nation, Jay-Z described the allegations as “idiotic” and “heinous.”
The Grammy-award-winning artist further revealed a legal step he took against the woman’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee.
Last month, Jay-Z anonymously sued Buzbee, alleging the lawyer attempted blackmail to secure a legal settlement.
Jay-Z claimed Buzbee sent a settlement-seeking letter to his lawyer, which he found fraudulent, compelling him to publicly oppose the actions.
The revelation comes amid numerous sexual assault lawsuits against Combs, who is currently in custody in New York, facing federal sex trafficking charges.
The woman involved in the case claims she was present at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall.
She managed to get a ride to a private party after the event, allegedly signing a nondisclosure agreement in the limousine.
At the party, she consumed a beverage that reportedly made her feel disoriented. She then found herself in a bedroom where she claims Combs, Jay-Z, and another celebrity assaulted her. She managed to escape and contacted someone for a ride from a nearby gas station.
Tony Buzbee, a Houston-based personal injury lawyer, refuted allegations of blackmail, calling them “stupid and laughable.” He clarified that his letter sought confidential mediation without any financial demands from the alleged victim. Buzbee criticized Jay-Z for attempting to intimidate him and the plaintiff. He expressed pride in the woman’s determination to continue the legal battle.
Jay-Z’s lawyer, Alex Spiro, filed a request for an urgent court hearing, demanding the accuser, identified as Jane Doe, disclose her identity if she intends to proceed with the lawsuit.
